OK, trying another tact here. Moly is indeed rubbing off...but is it safe?
Moly is actually used in 316 SS, to the tune of about 2%. This reduces corrosion and 316 is of course, food safe.
It seems that Parker used a Moly Lubricant on these nuts, but I didn't think to ask how much. The reason I should have asked is that moly is actually an essential part of our diet.
According to WebMD, and agreed on by various other intelligent sounding sources...
Molybdenum is a trace mineral found in foods such as milk, cheese, cereal grains, legumes, nuts, leafy vegetables, and organ meats. The amount in plant-derived foods depends on the soil content in the growing area. Molybdenum is also present in water in varying amounts. Molybdenum is stored in the body, particularly in the liver, kidneys, glands, and bones. It is also found in the lungs, spleen, skin, and muscles. About 90% of the molybdenum eaten in foods is eliminated by the body through the urine.
How does it work?
Molybdenum works in the body to break down proteins and other substances. Molybdenum deficiency is very uncommon.
Molybdenum has an important role in normal body functions, but there is not enough information to know how it might work for any medical condition.
Molybdenum is LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately by adults. Molybdenum is safe in amounts that do not exceed 2 mg per day, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level.
For children, molybdenum is LIKELY SAFE in amounts that do not exceed the UL of 0.3 mg per day for children 1 to 3 years, 0.6 mg per day for children 4 to 8 years, 1.1 mg per day for children 9 to 13 years, and 1.7 mg per day for adolescents.
However, molybdenum is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in high doses. Adults should avoid exceeding 2 mg per day. Children should avoid exceeding 0.3 mg per day for children 1 to 3 years, 0.6 mg per day for children 4 to 8 years, 1.1 mg per day for children 9 to 13 years, and 1.7 mg per day for adolescents.
So the question is how much Moly rinses off per batch. I'm guessing it's less than 2mg...
This being said, I went the all SS route because I didn't want random **** in my beer, and this is about as random as it gets. I'll get my system built using these current fittings, but will order more A Lok SS nuts to build better tubes soon. Fortunately, it seems that I live near some pretty awesome type people who can hook me up with everything from a bench grinder to a tube bender (thanks Milldoggy!).
If any engineers want to weigh in here to tell me Moly is totally safe, I'd appreciate it. Otherwise, on to Plan B.
PS. I did speak with a Parker Engineer, and he told me they weren't recommended for submerged applications. He didn't say unsafe though.
